William Witherspoon, "The Roadside Geology of Georgia." 7 p.m. July 23. Talk and signing. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 404-370-8450, Ext. 2225; www.georgiacenterforthebook.org. Witherspoon and Pamela Gore examine Georgia's geology through engaging prose and 250-plus photos, maps and figures. Bring the entire family — and a rock or two.
Carapace: Naked. 7:30 p.m. July 23. Raconteuring. Free. Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave. Atlanta. 404-525-3447, http://manuelstavern.com. Share your true personal tale of exposure, indecent or not, 5 to 7 minutes long. Too shy? Just come to listen and, uh, watch.
Mark Pendergrast, "For God, Country and Coca-Cola: The Definitive History of the Great American Soft Drink and the Company That Makes It." 7 p.m. July 24. Lecture and signing. Free. Carter Presidential Library & Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta. 404-865-7100, www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov. Also appearing: 7 p.m. July 26. Talk and signing. Free. Tall Tales Book Shop. 2105 LaVista Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-636-2498, www.facebook.com/pages/Tall-Tales-Book-Shop/105812822804428?fref=ts. In this new edition of his encyclopedic history, Pendergrast ("Uncommon Grounds") argues that Coca-Cola and Pepsi, once rivals in the "cola wars," are now united in the "new cola wars" — in which both are perceived as culprits behind the obesity epidemic.
Kevin West, "Saving the Season: A Cook's Guide to Home Canning, Pickling, and Preserving." 7:30 p.m. July 26. Talk and signing. $5 donation suggested. Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-0304, www.charisbooksandmore.com. From rural Blount County in eastern Tennessee, West runs the blog Savingtheseason.com, about food, culture and travel. His new book offers recipes interspersed with chronicles of his travels and the history of American preserving traditions.
David Rosenfelt, "Dogtripping: 25 Rescues, 11 Volunteers and 3 RVs on Our Canine Cross-Country Adventure" and "Unleashed." 11 a.m. July 27. Talk, signing, lunch and silent auction. $50, includes signed book of your choice or both for $70. Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North, 11420 Crabapple Road, Roswell. 404-486-0307, http://eagleeyebooks.com. For tickets: http://labradorfriends.com/david-rosenfelt-book-signing-benefiting-labrador-friends-of-the-south. Rosenfelt's new book is a humorous account of moving his 25 animal companions from California to Maine, and the beginnings of his dog rescue foundation. He'll also sign copies of "Unleashed," his latest Andy Carpenter mystery.
Poetcetera: the Poet Laureate of Harlem Poetry Tour. 2 p.m. July 27. Adults. Free with reservation. Atlanta-Fulton Central Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta. 404-730-1700, www.afpls.org/events. Raised in Harlem, activist and poet George Edward Tait spearheaded a group called Black Massical Music and founded the Society of Afrikan Poets. His first volume of poetry, "At War," was published in 1983, followed by "At Arms" (1992) and "Sword Songs" (2010). Tait will teach a poetry-writing workshop and give a reading.
Jolina Petersheim, "Outcast: A Modern Retelling of the Scarlet Letter." 5 p.m. July 27. Talk and signing. Free. FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St., Woodstock. 770-516-9989, www.foxtalebookshoppe.com. When a pregnant woman raised in a Mennonite community refuses to repent and name the father, she is shunned by those she loves most.
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